Lifestyle & Entertainment
25 March, 2026
Diverse music lineup for 2026 festival
A rich and diverse music lineup is planned for the 15th Lake Bolac Eel Festival this weekend. It spans folk, roots, contemporary Indigenous music and tribal-tech fusion, bringing together artists whose work celebrates cultural connection, storytelling and Country.
Festival Music Program Director Trudy Fatnowna Edgeley, a multidisciplinary artist of Yidinji and South Sea Islander descent, said she has curated a program that reflects the festival's
2026 theme 'Connecting Country and Culture'.
Artists include Trudy, Ngiyampaa singer-songwriter Pirritu, GuriNgai sisters Charlie Needs Braces, award-winning songwriter and festival co-founder Neil Murray, Heart Songs featuring Rose Bygrave (Goanna), Dave Steel (Weddings Parties Anything) and Wayne Jury, Ruby Lou
Band, multi-instrumentalist Stretch and the Truth, and Ganga Giri Band.
The festival takes place next Friday, Saturday and Sunday (27–29 March).
On Saturday, the program commences with a Welcome to Country at 10.30am followed by the Festival Forum with speakers and community voices to explore cultural, environmental and social connections to place.
The Forum brings together perspectives from speakers exploring how country and culture connect through history, ecology and community at Lake Bolac and other significant places.
Speakers include David Allen, representing Beyond Bolac, who will reflect on caring for the Fiery Creek, Lake Bolac and Salt Creek catchments; Andrew Skeoch, audio ecologist and deep listening practitioner, who will share principles of listening to Country; Marj Thorpe, on the campaign to protect the culturally significant Djab Wurrung trees in southwestern Victoria; and Meekah Merriman, the 2026 Warrnambool Young Citizen of the Year, who uses art and
storytelling to foster belonging and cultural pride.
Presentations will be followed by a facilitated Q&A and facilitated community discussion.
The Forum is included with all festival tickets.
The weekend also features a Friday night Art Auction, showcasing works from 17 artists, a range of hands-on workshops, a twilight ceremony by the lake and a guided Sunday lake walk.
Now in its 15th year, the festival continues its tradition as the 'Little festival with a big heart',
bringing people together to celebrate First Nations culture on Djab Wurrung Country.
Tickets are $85 online or $95 at the gate with concession tickets available.
For more information visit eelfestival.org.au
Read More: Lake Bolac